The Power of Positive Thinking

I am officially stating that my plateau is busted.  I saw a number on my home scal this morning that I haven't seen in a looooong time.  I'm now only 12.6 pounds away from matching my driver's license weight.  I think that weight was entered in 2002 when I moved back to Ohio.  I guess all of the extra gym time is paying off.

Last week at Weight Watchers, I finally hit 20 pounds.  I'm at 20.2 to be exact.  This is the most weight I've ever lost on Weight Watchers.  In past attempts, I would get really close, get frustrated, and then quit.  Quitting is not an option this time.  I missed my 10% by 0.8, which kind of bummed me out, but I'm pretty sure I'll get it this week. 

On the Weight Watchers website, I'm part of a challenge to lose 50 pounds by the end of this year.  There is a great group of girls on there who have become part of my support network.  Every week we have a topic or question to discuss.  This week's topic was to state how much weight we'd lost and then talk about something we've gained through this journey.  We were not allowed to get down on ourselves, or wish that we had lost more by now.  I found it a little difficult to come up with an answer at first.  Yeah, I'm proud I've lost 20 pounds, but I do wish I would have lost more by now.  But once I actually sat and thought about it, I have learned a lot about myself.

I've learned patience and perseverence for sure.  It's taken me almost 8 months to lose 20 pounds.  That takes perseverence.  I've learned that I'm a lot stronger than I give myself credit for.  Even on the days I've hurt or didn't want to go, or had stuff to do at home, I've made it to the gym as scheduled.  I've learned how to stand up for myself.  It amazes me the people who have either intentionally or unintentionally tried to sabotage or derail me.  People at the meeting talk all the time about how they get upset when people tell them that they don't need to lose more weight, or they don't need to lose as much as they'd like to lose.  I have learned to take that to mean that I don't look as fat as I think I look and say thank you.  I've also learned how to say no when someone asks me for a spur of the moment lunch or treat.  I no longer feel awkward telling them that I can't because I didn't budget the points or I want a good weigh-in on the weekend. 

My goal for August is to think positive thoughts, and not beat myself up for anything that I may do poorly.  It's amazing how positive thinking can turn things around.  August is a month of happy thoughts! :)